Counting mechanism



w. A. WHITEHEAD I 2,406,118

COUNTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 16, 1943 Aug. 20, 1946.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patentecl Aug. 20, 1946 COUNTING MECHANISM WilliamArnold Whitehead, Preston, England, as signor to The Goss PrintingPressCompany,

Chicago,

Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application September 16, 1943, SerialNo. 502,574: In Great Britain September 28, 1942 3 Claims.

This invention relates to printing and like machines and more especiallto counting mechanism therefor.

It is an object of this invention to provide a counting mechanism forprinting and like machines in which the timing and setting of saidmechanism is less critical or sensitive than hitherto, therebysimplifying the control. Another object of the invention is to ensureidentical projection of successive count copies at all press speeds. IAfurther object of the invention resides in the provision of countingmechanism which may be set mechanically prior to printing and by whichthe fitting of means for carrying the timing while the press is runningis avoided. Still another object of the invention resides in theprovision of a counting mechanism by which the count copies arepositively controlled.

Other objects of the invention and advantages thereof will be set forthin the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof,reference being made to the annexed drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the inventionhaving a flipper arm at each side of the fly;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of Fig. 1 showing the flipper mechanism in adifferent position;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

It is customary in printing machines to provide mechanism operating inassociation with a rotary or S fl to count the copies deposited by thefly on a moving band or conveyor by which said copies are delivered, forexample, to a stacker. Counting is generally effected b causing selectedcopies, for example, the last copy of each quire, to project beyondcopies previously deposited on the conveyor, the extent of projection ofthe count copy varying between two and six inches.

When the copies are deposited on the conveyor with their folded edgesundermost and in contact with the conveyor, all copies except the countcopy are positioned by fixed back stops which abut the folded edges ofsuccessive copies on the fly as the latter rotates and cause said copiesto be deposited on the conveyor at regular intervals, each copy almostcompletel overlapping th preceding copy. For the purpose of projectingthe count copy a set of movable stops has been employed, the operativefaces of these stops being set forwardly of the back stops to an extentdependent upon the amount of projection required for the count copy.These movable stops or flippers may be cam-actuated and their operationis such that they are moved into position to stop the count copy but donot engage or effect any of the other copies.

Actuation of the count copy stops both into and away from the operativeposition has necessarily been very fast in order thatthe flippers shallnot come into contact with the following copies on the fly and it hasbeen therefore important that the extent of their movement be reduced toa minimum. Further, the setting and timing of the count copy stopactuating mechanism has been so highly sensitive that changes in thespeed of the machine often eflect the count copy projection. Adjustingmeans for varying the timing of th flipper movement while the machine isrunning have hitherto been employed, but constant changing and adjustingof the flipper mechanism, such as in the case of machines used toproduce two or more publica-' tions having different numbers of copiesineach count, is troublesome and results in considerable delay. :t

In accordance with theinvention a mechanism for printing and likemachines'comprises a pocket for receiving an edge portion of selectedcopies carried by the fly, and means for actuating said pocket todeposit each selected copy on the conveyor in the desired projectedposition in relation to preceding copies andfor returning said pocket,out of the path of following copies on the fly, to receive the nextselected DY.

The pocket i preferably located atthe free s end of an arm which ispivotally mounted at its other end in such a manner that, during opera-'tion, the movement of the pocket follows a substantiall square orrectangular path which is in a plane transversely of the fly. Thismovement, which may be produced by synchronised cam action, causes thepocket to move downwardly in timed relation to the speedof the fly toremove a selected or count copy therefrom, then laterally outwardl torelease said copy and allow the same to drop on to the conveyor, thenupwardly over a path which enable it to clear the edges of the followingcopies on the fly andfinally' inwardly in readiness to receive the nextcount copy. A guard plate having an aperture through which the pocketprojects and of such dimensions as to enable the pocket to execute itsupward and downward movements, may be provided adjacent the side of theconveyor to prevent the copies on said conveyor from moving laterally asthe pocket is swung aside.

The provision of a single flipper arm adjacent countingone side of theconveyor will in known manner 7 cause the count copies to be angularlyinclined on the conveyor. If desired, two such arms may be provided, oneat either side of the conveyor, so that the leading edge of each countcopy'deposited on the conveyor is normal to the direction of travel ofthe conveyor. 7

Referring now to the drawings, a rotary or S fly of conventional formand comprising a plurality of coaxially aligned, spaced rotatabledisc'siT I each carrying a number ofsangularspaced arcuate blades l l onits-periphery is located above the upper run of endless conveyor bands12 on which the copies :1: are deposited by the fly for transfer to, forexample, a stacker (not shown) with afollower roller 3| mounted in thebifur- -cated end 32 of a rod 33 which is arranged par- 7 allel to'theshaft 24 and is supported for axial the conveyor at one end passinaround pulleydrums I3 on a drive shaft '14. The fly is driven from thepress at the required speed to receive the copies fed thereto from thefolding and severing mechanism and to deposit said copies on theconveyor in overlapping relationship; as shown in Fig. 2, and'with theirfolded edges onth'e conveyor, each almost completely overlying thepreceding copy. The copies are'normally deposited on the'conveyor withtheir folded andcut edgesnormal to the direction of travel 'of theconveyor and for this purpose the folded edges of the copies on the flyare engaged by a pair of fixed stops l5 shown diagrammatically in thedrawings and arranged'one at or towards either side of the fly. Thus, asthe fly rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1 and'2, the copies are successively stripped therefrom by the stops l5 anddeposited on the conveyor.

. For the purpose of counting the copies'on the conveyor, it is usualtoposition selected copies, for example, the last copy of each quire, insuch manner that theyfcan readily be seen by the pressman, such selectedcopies being given an overlap, for example, between two and six inches,greater'than that of the other copies on the con veyor. This positioningof selected or count copies is effected, in accordance with theinvention,,by3means of a movable pocket, of which there 'may be' one ateither side of the fly. for receiving'the folded leading edge of eachcoun copy and movable downwardly, in timed relation withthe rotation ofthe 'fly, to strip the count copy from the fly and deposit it on theconveyor in the required position, thereafter returning :to an elevatedposition in readiness to receive the next count copy. The pocket and itssupporting flipper are so constructed and actuated that during the'down'ward'movem ent and until the pocket has released the count copy,following copies on the fly will be unaffected by th flipper/and will bestripped from the fly by the fixed stops I5 in the normal manner; whileduringits upward" or return movement the pocket and flip per will remainclear of the copies on the fly until the next count copy is in positionthereon.

As embodied, each flipper comprises an-arm 207to one end of which issecured a substantially U-shaped pocket 2| extendinginwardly towards theadjacent outer fly disc If]. Each arm is attached, as by means of a pin22, to a bracket 23 secured to a rock shaft 24 arranged, parallel to theaxis of the fly and mounted inbearings in the side press frame members25, one of which is shown in Fig. 4. Also secured to theshaft 24 is'alever 26 which carries at its free'end afollower roller 2!v riding ona cam disc 28 secured for rotation with the conveyor pulley drumshaftl4. Rotation of the camdisc thus produces rock- .movement withinthe brackets 23.

Secured to the rod 33'are two links 34 each of which has a .pin-and-slotconnection at 35 with one of the flipper arms and it will be evidentthat as the rod is moved axially by the cam rails '29 and followerroller3|, the flipper arms will be rocked about the pins 22. The links 36, aswill be seen from Fig. 4, are'oppositely arranged aboutv the rod-33 tocause the flippers to move laterally 1nwardly and outwardly in unison. Aspring 36 coiled about the rod 33 and located between .one

of the brackets 23 and a collar 31 pinned to the rod serves to maintainthe roller in engagement with the cam rail.

Fig. 3 shows the approximately rectangular path of movement of each ofthe pockets 2| during a complete cycle of operation of the countingmech-, anism. When the pockets first engage the selected or count copythe flippers are located as shown in Fig. 1 whichcorresponds to the fullline position in Fig. 3, a little below their uppermost positionindicated in Fig; 3 at I, and their operation is so controlled by theperipheral edge of the cam disc 23 and the follower roller 21 that theyare caused'to move downwardly towards the conveyor I2 in synchronismwith the rotary movement of a the fly. During the first part of thisdownward movement of the flippers the leading edge of the count copy onthe fly enters the pockets 2 I. The rotational movement of the fly thencauses this copy to be strippedfrombetween the supporting fly blades,after which the flippers, continuing their downward movement, reach aposition where the pockets engage or are adjacent to the top c py on theconveyor, as. 7

shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that in this position the overlap ofthe count copy, indicated in Fig. 2 at y, is considerably in excess ofthat of'the other copies on the conveyorbands and that its folded edgeis out of contact with the conveyor.

In order:to release the count copy from the pockets 2|, the flipperarms, on reaching the position shown in Fig. 2, which corresponds toposition II of Fig. 3, are caused to move laterally outwardly toposition III (broken-lin position in Fig. 4) by means of the cam rail29, rod 33 and links 34. The flipper arms are then given a verticallyupward movement, the inner edges of the pockets clearing the side edgesof the copies then on the fly, to position IV (Fig. 3), this movementbeing effected by. the peripheral edge of the cam disc 28 and followerroller 21. Thereafter the flippers are "moved laterally inwardly untilthey reach their uppermost inward position, by

which time the copies in the following count,

Actuation of the flipper arms during the latter part of their downwardmovement is such as to position the flipper pockets out of the path ofthe next following copy on the fly, but it is not essential thatthismovement and the following laterally outward movement be carried outat a speed such that the said following copy doe not contact said arms.The particular construction of flipper according to this invention is,in fact, such that the first one or two copies following a count copymay be supported by the flippers adjacent their side edges until saidflippers have released. the count copy, this'arrangement allowing formuch less critical timing in the operation of the flippers than has beenpossible with previous constructions. The sides or jaws of the pocketsmay, as shown, be of unequal length, the longer upper jaw ensuring thatthe copy immediately following the count copy is not engaged within thepocket and the shorter lower jaw facilitating the depositing of thecount copy on the conveyor.

During the laterally outward movement of the flipper arms, the uppermostcopy or copies on the conveyor, the count copy and the following copy orcopies which are supported on the upper faces of the flipper arms areprevented from moving laterally pf the conveyor as by means of guideplates 40 secured to the press frame and located adjacent the side edgesof the conveyor. These guide plates are formed with elongated slots 4|through which the pockets 2| project, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4,when the flipper arms are in their laterally inward position.

One of the flipper arms of the embodiment described above may bedispensed with, in which case one end of the leadin edge of the countcopy will enter the single pocket provided and the other end will bearrested by the fixed stop l5 at the opposite side of the fly. With thisarrangement the count copy will be deposited on the conveyor in anangularly offset position relative to the other copies thereon,

In the arrangement illustrated the cam 28 is constructed to producetwoycomplete cycles of movement of the flipper arms for each completerotation of the pulley drum shaft I4, being provided with a pair ofdiametrically opposite cam rails 29 and having its periphery formed withtwo diametrically opposit corresponding flats producing the downwardfood movement of the pockets. Any other convenient cam arrangement may,however, be employed.

From the foregoing detailed description of one embodiment thereof, theinvention will be seen to provide positive control of the count copy dueto the use of flipper pockets; considerably reduced sensitivity oftiming and setting, the movement of the flipper being slower thaninknown mechanisms of this kind, since it does not have to avoid contactwith other copies leaving the fly; identical projection of successivecount copies at all press speeds; and the possibility of setting theflippers mechanically prior to printing. Complicated mechanism such ashas hitherto been necessary for adjustingthe timing is unnecessary,while th provision of side guide plates prevents lateral displacement ofthe copies on the conveyor as a result of the outward movement of theflippers to release the count copy.

What I claim and desire to secure b Letters Patent in the United Statesis:

1. In a delivery apparatus for papers movable downwardly in timedrelation, the combination of a receiver, delivery means serving normallyto 6 deposit'the papers in regularly piled arrangement on said receiver,a rock shaft, a pair of arms ar ranged at opposite sides of the path oftravel of the papers and movable upwardly and downwardly by the shaftand pivoted to the shaft to swing laterally inwardly and outwardly, saidarms having pockets to receive in the uppermost and .inward lateralpositions of the arms a leading edge portion of a selected paper and tocarry said paper downwardly into changed position on said receiver ascompared with the position at which the other papers are deposited onsaid receiver, a laterally sliding rod, links coupling the same to thearms to swing the arms laterally, and a cam device operative on theshaft and rod for moving said arms downwardly to remove said selectedpaper from the delivery means, then moving the arms laterally outward torelease said selected paper from the pockets and deposit it on thereceiver and to bring the arms laterally clear of the previouslydeposited copies, and then moving the arms upwardly and laterallyinwardly to receive leading edge portions of the next selected paperbeing delivered by the delivery means.

2. In a delivery apparatus for papers movable downwardly in timedrelation, the combination of a receiver, delivery means serving normallyto deposit the papers in regularly piled arrangement on said receiver, arock shaft, a pair of arms arranged at opposite sides of the path oftravel of the paper and movable upwardly and downwardly by the shaft,said arms being pivoted to the shaft to rock therewith and to swinglaterally inwardly and outwardly and having pockets to receive in theiruppermost and inward lateral positions leading edge portions of aselected paper and to carry said paper downwardly into changed positionon said receiver as compared with the position at which the other papersare deposited on said receiver, a laterally sliding rod, links cou plingthe arms to the rod for lateral swinging movements, a cam device actingon said shaft and rod for moving said arms downwardly to remove saidcopy selected paper from the delivery means, then moving the armslaterally outward to release said selected paper from the pockets anddeposit it on the receiver, then moving the arms laterally clear of thepreviously deposited papers, and then moving the arms upwardly andlaterally inwardly to receive leading edge portions of the next selectedpaper being delivered by the delivery means, and guide plates atopposite sides of the path of travel of the papers, said plates beingapertured to receive the pockets andto permit upward and downward andlateral movements thereof.

3. In a delivery apparatus for papers movable downwardly in timedrelation, the combination of a receiver, delivery means serving normallyto deposit the papers in regularly piled arrangement on a receiver, arock shaft, a pair of arms movable upwardly and downwardly by the shaftand pivoted to the shaft for inward and outward lateral movementsrelativeto the path of travel of the papers, said arms havin laterallyextending pocketsto receive in their uppermost and inward lateralpositions leading edge portions of a selected paper and to carry thepaper downwardly into changed position on said receiver as compared withthe position at which the other papers are deposited on said receiver, asliding rod arranged parallely with the shaft, links coupling the armsto the rod to move arms laterally, said shaft and rod having endportions arranged adjacent to each other at one side of the apparatus,and a 7 single cam operating on said'adiacent end por tion of the shaftand rod for moving said arms downwardly to'remove said selected paperfrom the'delivery means, then laterally outward to release said selectedpaper from the pocket and deposit it on the receiver, then movingrthearms laterally clear of the previously deposited papers, 7

and then moving the arms upwardly and laterally inward to receive aleading edge portion of the next selected paper being delivered by thedelivery means.

WILLIAM ARNOLD 'WHI'IEHEAD. Y

